RICHARD Chaplow today backed his decision to stick by Albion after emerging as one of the club's most important players during their six-game winning run.

RICHARD Chaplow today backed his decision to stick by Albion after emerging as one of the club's most important players during their six-game winning run.

The midfielder looked set to leave The Hawthorns earlier this season after failing to nail down a first team spot under Bryan Robson and during Tony Mowbray's first few weeks as manager.

But Chaplow opted to stay at B71 after holding talks with Mowbray over his future.

And since returning into the first team fold, Chaplow has become a vital member of the team, filling the troublesome 'anchor' role in the Baggies midfield.

Albion have also won every game since his return to the side more than four weeks ago.

Yet Chaplow appreciates that he could well have been wearing red and white stripes of a red ahad he agreed to join Southampton, who were today taking on Albion at The Hawthorns.

George Burley wanted to keep him on the south-coast following the loan spell but the 22-year-old now appreciates that he made the correct decision by staying in the Black Country and fighting for his place at The Hawthorns.

"Southampton were interested in maybe taking me but as far as I was concerned I was a West Brom player and wanted to stay a West Brom player," said Chaplow.

"In my eyes I had something to prove to everyone down here to show them I was good enough to play and was worth the price tag West Brom paid for me. I'm obviously hoping I’m on the way to doing that now."

Chaplow admitted that his spell at St Mary's ultimately helped his prospects at Albion.

"I just wanted to play football and I was more than willing to go down there and help him out," added the former Burnley star. "They were about sixth from bottom when I went and we managed to get into the top half of the table, which was good.

"Going down there was an extra bit of experience and a confidence boost and when I came back I was more than raring to go to try and get back into the team here."